Mark Mallman

From Minnewiki

Mark Mallman studied jazz piano at The Milwaukee Conservatory of Music then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1991. In 1995, at the age of 21, Mallman earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Minneapolis College of Art and Design where he studied painting and performance art. Following a near death experience in a Seattle, Mark abandoned the visual arts to focus 100% on songwriting.

His CD, "the Tourist" was released in 1998. A follow up "How I Lost my Life and Lived to Tell About it." was released in 2000. A clinical diagnosis with Dysthymic Disorder prohibited any form of long term touring, and he stayed in Minneapolis building a cult following of glam loving fans.

Marathon put national spotlight on him. Marathon 1 was the nonstop 26.2-hour performance of a single song in 1999 at the Turf Club in St. Paul, Minnesota. Likewise, Marathon 2 was the nonstop 52.4-hour performance of a single song, double the length of Marathon 1, reportedly comprising more than 600 pages of lyrics. It started on September 4, 2004 at the Turf Club and ended at 10:24 pm CST on Saturday, September 6, 2004. Marathon 2 was considered for the Guinness Book of Records longest pop song. However, the record was denied, citing the subjective nature of judging what a song is.

2002 found Mallman's "The Red Bedroom" album to be released on Guilt Ridden Pop. A year later, the depression which once kept him homebound, had cleared enough to start playing on the road. Mark signed with "Badman Recording Company" in 2003. His first national release Mr. Serious in 2004 was praised by few critics, and largely ignored by the majority of American and European media. All Music Guide called him "criminally underappreciated".

Mallman has toured across America opening for Guided by Voices, Beth Orton, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Power, Donovan, Tegan and Sara, Ozomatli, Everlast, Exene Cervenka, Howie Day, Barenaked Ladies, Cracker, and many others. Along with numerous tours of the United States, Mark completed his first extensive tour of the United Kingdom with friend and mentor Chuck Prophet in April, 2005.